Now that everyone is back from their eclectic Winter Terms and settling into the new semester, it is hard to think about anything other than reading and writing and class and lab and seminar and meetings, etc. But we cannot disregard what went on this past weekend: Greek recruitment.
Art is and always has been extremely particular to a culture. Not only is it particular, but also it is also meaningful to a culture. The first thing Hitler did in his take over of Germany was to confiscate all artwork pertaining to and important to the surrounding community. Art becomes the foundation on which a culture defines itself.
Through art, people can express both their individuality as well as their cultural identity to the rest of the world. It may be surprising to think that here at DePauw, we have our own artwork that defines our culture on campus, walking our streets everyday.
Our greek letters here at DePauw are a form of community art. Each greek house is the first emblem of a sorority or fraternity. Then the letters, usually placed above the front door, are seen by the viewer and the noticed as defining feature on students across campus.
Art on our campus does not only present itself within the walls of Peeler. Rather, every time a student wears their respective letters, they are showing the rest of campus their personal culture choice of being a part of greek life.
Though greek life is of course not the only open artwork presented on our campus, it is probably the most frequently presented. Each time you are walking towards the Hub or East College and happen to look down at the dozens of messages and reminders chalked onto the sidewalk reminding you attend an event, you are participating in the art of the DePauw culture.
Your reactions to seeing a simple chalk message under your feet are part of the artwork itself. Your simple participation in reading the message, and possibly acting on the message makes you an artist yourself.
So, next time you are walking across campus and happen to look down at the colorful writing below you, remind yourself that you just became an artist by simply participating. Our culture at DePauw is extremely diverse but we can all partake in art everyday on parallel structures.
— Chamberlain is a junior from Jasper, Ind., majoring in art histor and English literature.
features@thedepauw.com